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Lychee and the Cretan Bowl Diet…Lychee are a rare sub tropical fruit originating in South China where the lychee is very important in their culture and is famed as "the King of Fruits". They have a delicate almost perfumed taste to them and always seem to me to quite exotic! Lychee are an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin K. Vitamin C is an important vitamin in that it plays a significant role as an antioxidant, thereby protecting body tissue from the damage of oxidation. Antioxidants act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. 
Vitamin E is important as an antioxidant, thereby protecting body tissue from the damage of oxidation. It is important in the formation of red blood cells and the use of Vitamin K.
Vitamin K is fat-soluble and plays a major role in blood clotting. It regulates blood calcium levels and activates proteins involved in bone health. Lychee also contains Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium. Calcium helps with sleep and eases insomnia and helps regulate the passage of nutrients through cell walls. Calcium is necessary for muscles contracting properly, blood-clotting functions and for nerves carry messages. Insufficient calcium from foods mean the body automatically takes the calcium needed from bones. Deficiency may result in muscle spasms and cramps in the short term and osteoporosis longer term. Magnesium is needed for bone, protein, producing new cells, activating B vitamins, relaxing nerves and muscles, clotting blood, and in energy production. Insulin secretion and function also requires magnesium. Magnesium also assists in the absorption of calcium, vitamin C and potassium. Magnesium deficiency may result in nervousness, fatigue, insomnia, heart problems, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, muscle weakness and cramps. Phosphorus, in conjunction with calcium, is necessary for the formation of bones and teeth and of the nerve cells. Phosphorus is second to calcium in abundance in the body. Potassium is an essential mineral for the growth and maintenance of the body. It is needed to maintain a normal water balance between the cells and body fluids. Potassium also plays an essential role in proper heart function. Deficiency may cause muscular cramps, twitching and weakness, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, kidney and lung failure.
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